Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-11-26
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THE
What Happened at q Fashionable
Reception.

What Happened at a Fashionable
Reception.
Ten O'Clock on a Tuesday morning,
and one of the busiest days in thewcck
in the Office of the Ucchiy Rccord, Il
journal dealing largely with socicty'S
doings and sayings, rs well as with all
the literary, musical and dramatic
happenings of the day. The editor
and his assistants were up to their
ears in work, but the chief had but
Just arrived, and with n pleasant word
Of greeting had passed on to his pri-
waite sanctum. An elegant and dis
tinguishcd man, this Ernest Warren,
the proprietor, general director and
mnin-spring Of the fourishing weekly
which his father had left to him rs a
part of his Inheritance; and, moreover,
had supplemented it by a very pretty
fortune. which at once lifted this dear,
only son from the ranks of struggling
journalists, and made of him, had he
SO chosen, a gentleman of elegant
leisure. But this was contrary to all
Erncst's inclinalions. At 10 time was
he disposed to Il life of mere idle
luxury; and though he had the cntrce
into the best society of the city, and
was by no means aycrse to enjoying
the same, he had never, in the five
wears since his fathers death. neg
lrctcd the interests OF the Rcc0yd, nor
withdrawn himself from the general
supervision Of all its details. See him
now, as he stands at his desk, running
over the mornings correspondence. A
mar not much under forty; tall and
strongly built. with steady gray eyes,
dark hair and mustachr, and a general
air of vi.or and determination about
him which at once inspires confidence
in the bcholdcr, and makes women and
children feel that in him would be
found a very scryiccablc protector,
eIiblIlu O'tlSIbl ARISE.
On this busy morning the letters did
net seem TO require much consiGorA-
ton, and when the last one had been
consigned 10 the waSte-hasket, Mr..
Warren stepped to the outer Office, and
inquired:
%''lianly, has Miss Ogden been in this
morning?H
Not yet. Sir"
very we'll. Ask her to speak with
me as sool as she comes
Ten minutes later, and n brisk, bust
ncss-like !oung woman presented her.
self at his door.
''Ah. Miss Ogden, good-morning.
WAS just inquiring for YOU. | suppose
You haze y%ourday's programme pretty
well laid out; but | want yor to take
in some evening WORK. Mrs. Ros.itcr
gives a reception Tonight, and requests
that Il representative of the Record be
present, if possible, II lady, in order
that the costumes may he correctly
described. For, as she politely re-
marks, Men generally make II b0tch Of
those matters unless they have some
woman TO coach Them Now. can You
be there in the ladies' drrssing-room,
say about ten o'clock, and remain as
long rs there are any arrivals to take
notes OFF,
Miss Ogden hc,itatcd. This was
something she hadn't ~bargaincd for.
To sit mp till all hours Of the night
reading and criticiSing new books; Ia
run around to the shops for fashion
items and novelties; to assist at all the
~''orcning days attend matinccs, and
eve to interview an actress occasion
ally-whv, all these came into the day
work. Blu this that Mr.. Warren was
proposing would be a new departure to
her. and rather calling to that pride OF
which. although a sensible youne
wGman, she had a fair amount. And
So the prompt and cheerful acQnies-
ccnce which was her usual answer to
her employer halted ON her lips.
Well" said he, kindly. edo yol
mind IL SO very much? Why, then |
must send one of the boys, | suppose
Now there were several reasons why
Sara Ogden felt very kindly toward
Ernest Warren. and was more than
willing to study his wishes. In tn,
first place, he pleased her fancy, witt
his manly bearing and his unvary'
ing deierencc and corliality: secondly
he seemed 10 give her credit for pos,
sessing Ms good reasoning powers ant
clear judgment as though she were
man, aud many II time in that snug lit
tie Office they had held long and inter
csting discussions on the topics of III,
day, which had sent her home to he,
lonely room with n pleasant sense o
mental cheer and refreshmcnt; and
lastly. he had won her gratitude by lie
string Editor Hanly to give her II tria
when she presented herself as an appli
cant Tor work some. months before thi.
lmsy morning. 1t was an innovation =
this employing Of y woman for rcgula.
daily work; and without the chief
good Merl she knew she ncvcr coul,
ha,e got atoothold in the Office O
the Record, nor n chance to show wha
/. she was capable Of. Thinking of al
this. and meeting the look Of appeal il
chose grave, handsome eyes, she coul,
not answer him with n refusal. A wor'
DR. two signiiled her acquicsccncc il
the proposed arrangements. and wol
for her a bcaming smile and "A heart,
'shank You. very much. Miss Ogden
AN snre We shall now get u rcliabl
account Of the different toilets"
..sShc docsu't like II. that's plain.